New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-23
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARTISTS
NINTH EXHIBITION.


The ninth exhibition OF the Society Of American
artists which oueued yesterday at fandelTs Gal
lery Fifth.aye and Nineteentbst, contains consid
cradle amount OF clever painting ana several pictures
OF re. SUBSTANCE whose worth would be better recog
nized II the collection had been smaller and more
udicouslv arranged There was an air OF Incomplete
ness about the opening due partly 70 the work stu
in progress upon the entrance and also to the confusion
within the gallery the presence OF several studies Oh
kind betting League exhibition, anc TO the neglect
TO provide any place tor the sculpture which had been
unoaded on the floor OF the stage. The exhibition
hall is narrow in proportion TO its height and length
but the new gallery will doubtless be found useful IL
is certainly a cheerful place in comparison with tho
Academy galleries. although the proportions are much
interior TO those OF the south at the Academy.
The exhibition contains las oils, water eolors,
pastels and examples OF sculptures In quality and In
the amount OF serious work it falls tar below the ex
hibons which the society held previous TO 1854 but
although there are several examples OF the preientlous
display of tech lQue" which characterized The exh-
bition OF that year. the present collection shows moro
sanity This last 1t has beel found impossible
TO secure enough important pictures tor an exb Di-
ton and it has been necessary TO include many DIS
which are nothing more than studies. some water
coors and at least one large painting which was re-
iectcd at the Academy On the other hand, there arc
not many pictures which are not redeemed by sone
| passages OF good painting. The criterion has been
technical facility although not always ability ana the
cleveruess OF much OF the work is entertaining.
although aot always in the way that the artist would
choose. There is a great deal of drxterous juggling
with brush and coors and II there is frequent Lack
of significance and individual force rs well It Is inter-
esting nevertheless to be admitted to the studios and
see the manufacture OF the stunning bits and hhe
effects due chic which some OF the artists at
present controlling the society pear 10 cohuet inc
But IN ere is work ct a different stamp in this exhibit
ton. and although our notice at this tine must DO
BRET it would be unjust not to mention certain exam
| pies. Among the portraits a department well repre-
sented is MI Wyatt Eaton's Portrait OF Mrs r. w.
c." which ia in a masters manner superb piece OF
painting full OF dignity ana repoe. IL rs refreshing
and resttul to turn to portrait like this IN when,
rich the costume is pictorally hun anity Is not
sacrificed costume, after such noisy painting Oh
sas and hat feathers shoes and frock as seen IN
Mr. Beckwiths sacrifice OF his subject to her clothes
Mr. L. b. Brandeece tulfs the promise OF earlier work
in portrait, simple III treatment, honestly painted,
unpretentious and admirable in expression. There 10
| a good pastel head by NJ Raon. aud among Sc, eral
time worn and much-trayeed pictures by Mr. Lafarge
i, GIRL Reading" q charming piece OF color. MIR.
| f. c. Tarbel suffers II ON the memory OF MIR. Sargents
painting of girl in black holding rose but although
his work lacks substance aud force, 1t shows consider
| able delcacy and feeling tor harmony. Mr.. w. VI.
Chase has contributed FIVE pictures of which three arc
portraits, No. % brilliant audacous color scheme,
No 30 portrait OF girl in white in the Whstlean
| vein, No. 81 low toned study OF young lady IN
walking dress, picture, rich in color spi;riteoiy
tones in which both coloring and expression suggest
Mr.. Thayer's manner, although the resemblance IS
very likely accidental here and in MT. Demings p9r.
trait In both the sitters seem to be in melancholy
mood. and iu Mr.. Rice's well-painted portrait or
cost line study the subject seems braced to bear the
ordeal bravey as possible. There seems to be a
great deal of unhappiness among the sitters in this
collection. Other portraits, those by Miss Emmett,
| Miss Reed Miss finds and Messrs. Weir, Eakins,
Cox and DE Meza, be passed tor the present
At the end OF the gallery opposite the entrance Is
large picture by MIR. Kenyon Cox, Painting and
Poetry" one of tho subject originally designed with
possibly some assistance from Titan tor the Blessed
| Damozel" The work is rneyel. but an earnest effort
to treat subject OF this high order Is NOT TO be held
| lightly. The figure Of Painting venetian
Blonde" shows uncommony strong results III pose,
drawing aud even in color This Is not only excellent
workmanship, but the figure has much nobility. But
the companion Inquire IL most unfortunate m unbeau
tful creature distinguished only by excess Of brawn
the gesture awkward and disturbing the face vergmg
on the ridiculous. Mr. Cox also exhibits q" Bacchante
another subject taken from his illustrative work. ana
| similar to his White Rose" athouh there is an I'M
proyement IN coorng. Everything about this picture
tends to confirm our opinion that IL Is the most
brutally sensual painting seen for long tune III
New York exhibition. II this s art tor arts sake
the nude torn is not questioned BY rational people,
but the manner OF this picture Is another matter An
entirely different manner Is shIwn IN MI: tnaye, YER
much beauty and decacy the lower torso injured by
impure color and turbd shadows on either side tho
| background muddy aud neither real nor happily con-
venonazcd, the swan hard as ii carved from plaster
Mr. Thayers subtle feeling for certain range OF col
oring shown in passages here ana IN his mower
| piece. Mr.. Dewings "Tooit and the Angel Is
neither decorative is 1t the means OF bearing
message" The angel with her extraordinary express
sion and tremendous wings. which can by no posss,
biity DO attached to her body comes very near tho
ridiculous. There hints OF good action IN the ober
figure but the picture counts Tor little in the final re-
suit although the artists purpose may have been mos,
| iaudable. Mr.. Gaul's 4" On the Shrmish Line anu am
Mr. Tregos bringing up the Battery stand ior ,%I
military subjects OF the exhibition the latter wen
studied and strongly painted, gain In color nna
action over last years picture although burnt Of
interest, Mr. Eaton's the Reader" Mr. Decker e,
Amateur Cook" Mr.. Brush's Aztec Sculptor Mr.
Milet's Pompan Slave" Mr.. Baers exceen. ~ ~
yotion," memory OF Degas by Mr.. Allen, and an ILL"
preston by Mr.. Wites. ax.,ht-
| Among the landscapes there Is MIR. Tryons " Nlgns
fall" an admirable winter scene With good aisIannS
Mr.. Pamers Early SNOW" excellent efeet Oh "''